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Here's a reminder to entrants to the MARQUES trade mark essay competition for 2009: the deadline for submissions is 15 June, which is only a couple of months away.  There's a decent prize, the chance of a little fame/notoriety and even a day at the seaside awaiting the winner.  So get writing!

The controversial decision for a Directive to extend to 95 years the copyright term in certain works in Europe is a matter of great interest to the IPKat, who has heard from a reliable source that  (i) The plenary (first reading) vote in the European Parliament, scheduled for 23 March, was postponed and no new date has been fixed: it may still be the week beginning 21 April, or in the last plenary session in May, or not at all; (ii) In the Council of Ministers, a blocking minority of countries led by the Scandinavians prevented agreement on a compromise text (70 years) proposed by the Czech presidency (Committee of permanent representatives (COREPER), March 27).  As things stand, there appears to be no 'qualifying majority' of EU countries in favour of term extension even if the UK is counted as a "For"; (iii) Sweden has been tasked with finding a position that can be agreed during the next presidency; (iv) behind the scenes, enormous pressure is being exercised by the Commission to 'turn' some of the blocking countries. The IPKat hears that "the copyright unit of the Commission will not come out of this unscathed".

A reader asks the Kats: "Are you aware of any good studies or articles on Art 6ter Paris Convention protection (hallmarks, flags, emblems etc) ? The reason I ask is that one of my roles is attending the WIPO SCT every 6 months and it looks as though 6ter may become a focus. Some countries think it is being abused and others think the scope of protection isn't broad enough".  The reader would appreciate analyses that discuss the original aims and intentions of Art 6ter.  If you've any recommendations, can you please post them as Comments below?

Left: this sign is registered with WIPO under Art 6 ter. Do you recognise it?

The IPKat's antipodean informant Elena Szentivanyi (Henry Hughes) tells him that New Zealand's Trade Marks Act 2002 is being amended to 

? join the Nice Agreement, the Singapore Treaty, and the Madrid Protocol;
? bolster the enforcement of the criminal offence provisions in respect of counterfeit goods;
? clarify the law relating to trade mark infringement by parallel imported goods;
? remove the ability to register voluntarily licensees against trade marks (see summary here). 

The Trade Marks (International Treaties and Enforcement) Amendment Bill received its first reading in Parliament on 7 April 2009 and was referred to the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Select Committee - see here and here. No date for submissions has yet been set but there is likely to be a 4-6 week period for any public submissions. Elena has promised to keep the Kat updated.